Shloka 23
The Appearance of Śrī Nārada and Vyāsa’s Dissatisfaction
Veda-vibhāga and the Need for Bhakti
त एत ऋषयो वेदं स्वं स्वं व्यस्यन्ननेकधा । शिष्यै: प्रशिष्यैस्तच्छिष्यैर्वेदास्ते शाखिनोऽभवन् ॥ २३ ॥
ta eta ṛṣayo vedaṁ svaṁ svaṁ vyasyann anekadhā śiṣyaiḥ praśiṣyais tac-chiṣyair vedās te śākhino ’bhavan
Diese ṛṣis teilten ihre jeweiligen Veden auf vielerlei Weise und übergaben sie an Schüler, Schülerschüler und weitere Generationen; so entstanden die verschiedenen vedischen Zweige (śākhās).
The original source of knowledge is the Vedas. There are no branches of knowledge, either mundane or transcendental, which do not belong to the original text of the Vedas. They have simply been developed into different branches. They were originally rendered by great, respectable and learned professors. In other words, the Vedic knowledge, broken into different branches by different disciplic successions, has been distributed all over the world. No one, therefore, can claim independent knowledge beyond the Vedas.
FAQs
This verse explains that the sages organized the Veda in multiple ways, and through disciples and successive students the Vedas became established as distinct śākhās (branches).
He is highlighting the guru-śiṣya paramparā—Vedic knowledge is preserved and expanded into recognized branches through faithful transmission across generations of teachers and students.
Learn sacred teachings through authentic lineages, study systematically, and pass on what you receive with integrity—so wisdom remains living, clear, and beneficial for future generations.